Addressing-machine



N. MEYERS.

ADDRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, 1911.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHBET 1.

INVENTDR MW wi-r'wzaslcsuz ATTDRNETEI THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHOTO-LITHOH WASHINGTON. D, Cv

N. MEYERS.

ADDRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION IILED NOV. 20. 1911.

1,105,814.. a ented Aug.4, 1914.

'I'HP. NORRIS PETERS C0 PHOTO-LI'IHO. WASHINGTON. D L" N. MEYERS.

ADDRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION I'ILBD NOV. 20, 1011.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WiTNEEEIEIEIZ INVENTEIR 7 J? W 7 /q t, F-QdW ATTDRNEYE THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PIIUTU-LI'IHO WASHINGTON D C 7 TTE STAENT OFFICE.

NICHOLAS MEYERS, 0F BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO PETER. C. MEYERS, OF

BUFFALQINEWYORK.

ADDRESSING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 20, 1911. Serial N 0. 661,370.

object to provide a simple and eflicient ma-v chine whereby this may be effected expeditiously and economically.

In the accompanying drawings consistw 111g 01 sheets: Figures 1 and 2 are end elevations of the machine viewed from the right and left ends, respectively. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. l is a rcarview of the mechanism for imparting a step by step movement to the carriage and a reciprocating motion to the stamping pad. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail View of the inking mechanism. Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line G 'S of Fig. 1 but omitting the address carrying drum. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the clutch mechanism for connecting and dis-connecting the driving wheel and the workii'lg parts of the machine. Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the same. Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse section taken on line 9-9, Fig. 7. 1

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

In its general organization this machine comprises a rotatable drum which carries a plurality of address plates on its periphery and which is adapted to travel step by step transversely of the bed of the machine and under the path of an impression or stamping pad. Every time the stamp pad is brought down against the drum an article, such as an envelop, letter or the like. has an address printed on the same while on its return the drum is rotated one space for linriuging into position another address. After one revolution of the drum it is antomatically moved laterally of the bed bringing under the stampingpad another set of addresses which are likewise brought successively t the printing position during one complete revolution of the drum by Fine.

which means the several sets or rows of address plates are brought into use, the

number of addresses depending upon the length and diameter of the drum.

1 represents a base havingupwardly pro jectingtransverse ways 2 on its upper side which are adapted to receive a horizontal transversely traveling carriage 3. Thelattoy is provided at opposite ends with uprights l having horizontal bearings for the shaft 5 on which is mounted a horizontal rotating address drum 5 The drum is provided with longitudinal dove-tail gmoveso each groove adapted to receive a plurality of address plates or dies 7 which Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

are arranged in a longitudinal row, each die 1 being provided with the type of a name and address of an individual, firm Or other party.

Projecting upwardly from the bed 2 is a standard or support 8 on the upper end of which is mounted directly over the center of the rotating drum a vertical tubular guide 9 which is adapted to receive a vertically reciprocating plunger 10 on the lcwer end of which is mounted a stamping or impression pad 11 having a facing of rubber or other elastic material. Located between said rotating drum 5 and reciprocating pad 11 is an ink ribbon or carbon tape 12 which is wound at opposite ends around two rotatingspools or shafts 13, 14. The pivots of these spools are 1ournaled 1n bearings 130, 1-l0 depending from the guideway 9 and the some are provided respectively with opposite ratchet wheels 15,16 which are intended to be rotated ineither direction by the pawls 17, 18. Rotatably mount-ed upon the ribbonspools or shafts 13, 1st. and carrying the pawls 17, .18 are two rock arms 19, 20 which are connected to gcther by a li11lc21.

Extending rearwardly and horizontally from the standard or support 8 is a stationary arbor 22 on the outer or rear end of which is loosely mounted a fly or driving wheel 23 which rotates constantly when the machine is in use. The inner end of the hub of the drivingor fly wheel has a notch 2st the front side of which is inclined and the rear side abrupt. This notch is adapted to receive a spring actuated latch 25 slidably causes the plunger to reciprocate. lVhen it mounted in a rotating operating sleeve 26 which is journaled on the arbor 22 and which has its periphery constructed to form an eccentric. stationary collar 27 to which is pivoted a trip cam or wedge 28 adapted to normally stand with its inclined face in the path of travel of a nose 250 on the latch 25, shown in Figs. 7 and 9. At the end of each rotation of the sleeve 26 the wedge 28 when in its normal position engages with the nose 250 of the latch 25 and draws the latter forwardly out of engagement with the notch 24- of the wheel '23. cam 28 so that it clears the nose 250 the latch is moved rearwardly by its spring into engagement with the notch 2%, whereby the driving wheel and operating sleeve 26 are coupled and caused to turn together for producing a cycle of operations of the machine.

Any suitable means may be employed for operating the cam 28 those shown in the drawings comprising a vertical shifting rod 280 connected at its upper end with the cam 28, an elbow lever 281 connected with the shifting rod, a treadle 282 arranged within convenient reach of the operator, a connecting rod 283 interposed between the treadle and elbow lever, and a spring 284: surrounding the rod 280 and pressing the same upwardly. Upon depressing the treadle the latch 25 is released and upon permitting the treadle to rise the spring 284 shifts the cam 28 into the path .of the latch and uncouples the driving wheel from the working mechanism.

Fulcrumed in an upright or post 29 rising from. the standard 8 is a lever 30 the front end of which is connected. to the plunger 10 while its rear end is provided with a pin 300 which projects into a slot 33 in an upright reciprocating rod 31. A spring 32 secured to the post 29 and bearing against the front arm of the lever 30 operates to hold the plunger yieldingly in its elevated position. The reciprocating rod 81 is provided at its lower end with a sectional strap 34, 35 which surrounds the eccentric face of the operating sleeve 26,-

whereby the rotary movement of the latter is desired to depress the plunger by hand for producing an impression independently of the operation of the eccentric 26 this may be effected by means of a handle 10 arranged at the upper end of the plunger. At such times the pin-300' of the rock lever 30 slides idly in the slot 33 of the connecting rod '31.

Means are provided for regulating the pressure ofthe impression pad on the type plates and the sheet between them, those shown in the drawings for this purpose Mounted upon the arbor is a Upon depressing the.

upper end of theguidewa'y 9 for limiting" the movement of the impression pad toward the typeplates. By this means the coarse adjustment of the printing pressure can be made by shifting the collar 10 and the fine adjustment by means of the screw 10 The means for imparting a step by step movement to the drum comprises a lever 48 which is fulcrumed on the support 8 and the front end of which is attached to the plunger 10 through a link 49, while its rear endis connected with the upper end of a shifting bar 50. The lower part of the latter is guided for vertical movement in a loop 500 on the standard and isprovided with a fork or jaw 501 the mouth of which opens forwardly. This jaw is yieldingly held by a sprin 580 in engagement with the longitudinal bar 510 of an operating yoke, said bar being arranged lengthwise in rear of the drum and provided at its opposite ends with forwardly projecting arms 51 which turn on the shaft 5 of the drum at opposite ends of the latter. One arm 51 of said yoke is provided with a pawl 52 which enga es an'annular row of ratchet teeth 520 mounted on the left hand end of the drum 5 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. A spring actuated detent pawl53 mounted on one of the uprights 4-, preferably the left one, and engaging with the ratchet teeth 520, serves to prevent backward rotation of the drum. Thus it will be seen that as the plunger 10 moves up the yoke 5-1, 510, moves down, thereby turning the drum ahead one step.

The preferred means for effectingthe longitudinal step by step movement of the drum are preferably constructed as follows: Pivoted to the rear side of the standard or sup;- port 8 by means of a horizontal longitudinal 4-2 which is adapted to'engage the notches 43 of a rack bar arranged lengthwise on the On the front end of the shaft 40 is another arm 1 to which is pivoted. a pawl pivot is a verticall' arran ed lever 37 "the I carriage 8. As the eccentric 26 is rotated an J oscillatory movement is imparted to the le ver 37 which latter rocks the shaft 40, thereby imparting a reciprocating movement to the pawl 42 which. in turn moves the carriage 3 ahead stepv by step. The carriage is slid forward lengthwise in the manner described one step at a time after each complete rotation of the drum. The mechanism for accomplishing this comprises a trip yoke having a longitudinal bar 44L arranged lengthwise in rear of the drum and underneath the pawl 42 and provided at opposite ends with forwardly projecting arms 4.40 which arms are pivoted to swing vertically on the uprights t. The position of the trip yoke is controlled by a trip arm 411i extending fori'vardlv from the left arm H0 and provided with a roller 45 which engages with a controlling,- cam 46 mounted at the left end of the drum and turning therewith.

\Vhile the drum is being; turned step by step to present the address printing; plates in each annular row or set at the stamping position the high part of the cam 46 by engaging the roller 45 turns the trip yoke 44%, no, so that the feed pawl 42 is held out of engastcment with the notches il-3 of the longitudinal feed rack, whereby the pawl 42 is caused to reciprccate idly. At the end of each .rotation of the drum the low part ii? of the cam 46 is presented to the roller 415 thereby permitting the weight of the trip yoke to depress the same and lower the pawl 42mm engagement with the rack having; the notches 43. W hen this occurs the pawl is lowered upon this rack so that upon the next following reciprocation thereof the same engages with the next notch 43 and advances the carriage and drum one step and places another annular row of printing plates inline with the stampingposition.

During the initial portion of the next following rotation of the drum the high part of the cam 46 by acting on the roller 45 again raises the trip yoke and lifts the pawl 4-? out of operative relation to the longitudinal feed rack and holds the same in this position until another turn of the drum has been completed.

The ink ribbon is arranged between the platen or impression pad 11 and is advanced automatically one space foneach imprcs sion by means of an arm 190 arranged on the rock lever 48 and. having; a pin and slot connection with the rear rock arm 15) of the inkingmechanism, as shown in Fig: 2. During eachreciprocation of the plunger both rock arms 15) and 20 are oscillated and the ink ribbon is unwound from one spool and wound upon the other spool according to whichever of the pawls 17 and 18 is in operative engagement with its ratchet Wheel,

Either one of the pawls 17, 18 can be made operative by turning the sinneon its pivot so that its front side faces the companion ratchet wheel. and the tooth, on the frontend of this pawl engages with the teeth of the same as indicated by the relative positions of the pawl 17 and ratche wheel 16, and either of these pawls may be rendered inoperative by turning the same on its pivot so that this pawl engages its back with the respective ratchet wheel, as indicated by the relative position of thepawl l8 and ratchet wheel 15.

The operation of the machine is as follows: Preparatory to using this addressing machine the drum is loaded with address plates or dies by slipping a longitudinal row of the same into each of the dove-tailed grooves of the drum so that the several longitudinal rows produce a plurality of annular rows which are arranged side byside on the periphery of the drum. The carriage is then shifted in the direction of its length or transversely of the machine so as to bring the first address plate in the first row vertically in line or underneath the impression pad or platen, as shown in Fig. 3, at which time the roller 4.5 of the trip lover has just cleared the low part or notch oi the cam 46. tlpon now placing the letter, envelop or other article to be addressed between the ink ribbon and the underside of the platen or llll1)l(3""l(ii1 pad and then depressing the treadle 982 the clutch mechanism will be ormrated so as to couple the driving wheel :33 with the operating mechanism of the machine. This will cause the platen 11 to descend, as shown in Fig. 3, and press the article to be addressed against the ink ribbon and the latter against the type plate in line herewith, thereby producing an impression it the type on this plate on the article to be addressed. inediatcly after the same has been depresscd the eccentric 226 after making one complete rotation will be arrested in the manner hcreto'fore described and while making this rotation the platen 1s lowered and raised and i 51,510 is depressed by means of the shifting rod 50 and associated parts which are operativcly coimectod with the plunger, thereby causing the pawl 52 of this yoke to rotate the drum one step forward and present the next following printing plate in the first annular row to the printing position ready for the next impression. After the drum has made one complete rotation and pro seated all of the address plates in the first row to the printing position the cam 4:6 presents the low part of its face to the roller 45 thereby permitting the trip yoke to descend and the longitudinal i'ecd pawl 42, which is rcciprocated for each impression, to drop into engagement with the next following notch 43 of the longitudinal feed rack and advance the carriagelengthwise one step from right to left and bring the first plate of the next following annular row Upon releasingthe trendle imi to the printing position; The operation of printing the addresses of the second row of annular address plates is then effected and hen this has been completed the carriage is again advanced lengthwise one step, these operations being effected automatically step by step until impressions have been obtained of all the address plates on the drum.

lVhile the carriage is moved in the direc-.

tion of its length'or transversely in the machine for presenting its several annular rows of address plates to the printing position the longitudinal bar 510 of the rotary feed yoke slides through the fork 5010f theshifting bar 50, thereby maintaining an operative relation, between the driving mechanism and the rotary feed yoke in all positions of the drum lengthwise of its axis.

After impressions have been obtained of all'the plat-es on the drum the carriage may 3e slipped oif from its ways on the base or main frame and replaced by another carriage containing a drum which has been loaded with another set of address plates, or the same drum may be emptied of its used plates and filled with another set of unused plates preparatory to printing or addressing the next batch of articles.

Inasmuch as the fork of the shifting bar 50 is held yieldingly in engagement with the longitudinal bar of the rotary feed yoke the disconnection and connection between these,

so from one spool the pawls 17 and 18 are shifted so that the previously active pawl is inactive and the other one becomes active,

thereby causing the movement of'the lnk' r bbon to be reversed and wind up on the spool from which it was previously unwound,

My improved addressing machine is very compact and permits of accurately addressing a large number of envelops, letters and the like expeditiously and economically.

I claim as my invention:

1. An addressing machine comprising a carrier provided with a plurality of address types, a platen movable toward. and from said carrier, and means for actuating said platen comprising a plungercarrying said platen. a rock lever connected at one end with said plunger, aneccentric, a shift ing rod slidably connected at one end with said lever and provided at its other end with a strap surrounding said eccentric and means for permitting said plunger to be operated manually independently of'said eccentric.

2. An addressing machine comprising a carrier provided with a plurality of address types, a platen movable toward and from said carrier, and means for actuating said platen comprising a plunger carryone end with said plunger, an eccentric, and a shifting rod connected at one endwith said lever and provided at its other end with a strap surrounding said'eccentric, the connection between said lever and shifting rod being etl'e'cted by a pin and slot to permit of operating said plunger manually independently of said eccentric. 1 I 3. An addressing machine comprising a carrier provided with a plurality of rows of address types, an impression platen adapted to press the article to be printed against said types, means for moving said carrier for bringing said address types successively to the impression position, a plunger carrying said platen, a guide for said plunger, a collar adjust-ably securedto said plunger, and an adjustable stop screwarranged on said collar and adapted to ensaid guide.

l. An addressing machine com rising a drum which is capable of rotation and also in ving lengthwise of its axis, a plurality of address types arranged on the periphery of said drum so as to form a plurality of circumferential rows side by side, a carriage supporting said drum, a platen movable toward and from the drum to produce impressions of said types onthe articles to be printed, a plunger carrying said platen, and means for. turning said drum comprising an annular row of ratchet teeth mounted cnthe drum, a yoke pivoted on the carriage and having ,a bar arranged lengthwise of the drum anda pawl engagingwithsaid ratchet teeth, and a shifting rod operatively mg said platen, a rock lever connected at u connected with said plunger and provided with a fork which receives said bar.

5. An addressing machine comprising a,

drum which is capable of rotation and also moving lengthwise of its axis, a plurality of address types arranged on the periphery of ratchet teeth, a shiftingbar provided with p a fork which receives said bar, a rock lever.

connected with said rod, and a linkconnectmg said leverwith the plunger.

6. An addressing machine comprising a drum which is capable of rotation and also moving lengthi ise of its axis, a plurality of address types arranged on the periphery of said drum so as to form a plurality of eircnunjterential rows side by side, a carriage supporting said drum, a platen movable toward and from the drum to produce impressions of said types on the articles to be printed, a plunger carrying said platen, and means for moving said carriage step by step lengthwise of the axis ol the drum comprising a rack bar arranged on said car-, riage and a rock arm provided with a pawl engaging with said rack bar.

7. An addressingmachine comprisii'ig a drum which is capable of rotation and also moving lengthwise of its axis, a plurality of address types arranged on the periphery of said idrum so as to forum a plurality of circumferential rows side by side, a car riage supporting said. drum, a platen movable toward and from the drum to produce impressions of said types on the articles to be prmted, a plunger carrying said platen and means for moving said carriage step by step lengthwise of the axis Of the drum comprising a rack bar arranged on said carriage,-a rock arm provided with a pawl engaging with said rack bar, a controlling cam turning with the drum, and a yoke mounted on the carriage and engaging with said pawl and with said cam.

swan addressing machine comprising a drum which is capable of rotation and also moving lengthwise of its axis, a plurality of address types arranged on the periphery of said drum so as toform a plurality of circun'iferential rows side by side, a carriage supporting said drum, a platen movable toward and from the drum to produce impressions of saidtypes on thearticles to be printed a plunger carrying said platen and means tor moving said carriage step by step lengthwise of the axis of the drum comprising a rack bar arranged on said carriage, a rock shaft provided with front and rear rock arms, a pawl mounted on the front rock arm and engaging with said rack bar, a rock lever connected with the rear rock arm, an eccentric, a strap surrounding the eccentric and having a pin and slot connection with said lover, a controlling cam turningwith said drum, a trip yoke pivoted on said carriage and provided with a bar engaging with said pawl and having an arm engaging with said cam.

9. An addressing machine having in combination, a base, an endwise movable carriage mounted thereon, anaddress drum rotatably mounted on said carriage, areciproeating plunger located above said drum, and means comprising anseccentric connected to said reciprocating plunger and carriage for imparting motion thereto.

10. An addressing machine having in com biuation, a base, an endwise movable carriage mounted thereon, an address drum ro tatably mounted on said carriage, a support provided w1th an arbor, a plunger slidably mounted on said support, a rotatable eccentric mounted onsaid arbor, a connecting rod extending upwardly therefrom, a lever connected with the plunger and rod, and means connected with said eccentric and operating to impart a step by step movement to said carriage. y a i 11. An addressing m achinc having in combination, a base, an endwise movable carriage mounted thereon, an address drum rotatably mounted on said carriage, a plunger mounted above said drum, means for imparting a reciprocaiting movement to said plunger, means for imparting a step by step movement to said carriage, and means connected with said plunger for advancingthe drum step by step.

12. A11 addressing machine having in combination, an cndwise movable carriage, a 1'0- tatable address drum mounted thereon, a plurality of address plates mounted on said drum, a reciprocating plunger mounted above said drum, an ink ribbon or tape 10- catod between said drum and plunger, and means connected with said reciprocating plunger for feedingthe ribbon across said drum.

13. An addressing machine having in c0mbination, an endwise movable carriage, a rotatable drum mounted thereon, a plurality of address plates or dies mounted on said drum, an ink ribbon or tape located between said drum and plunger, and means connected with said plunger for feeding the ribbon across the periphery of said drum and advancing the drum step by step.

l t. An addressing machine having in combination, a base, an endwise movable care riage mounted thereon, an address drum rotatablynnmnted on the carriage, a plan ger mounted above said drum, means for imparting a reciprocating movement to said plunger, means for imparting a stepby step cndwise movement to said carriage, and means for automatically disengaging said plunger and carriage operating means from the source or power.

15. An addressing machine having in com-, bination, a base, an endwise movable carriage mounted thereon, an address drum rotatably mounted on said carriage, a plunger located above said drum, means comprising an eccentric for imparting a reciprocating motion to said plunger and a step by step endwise movemel'lt to said carriage, and means fordisconnecting the eccentric from the source of power at each revolution of the same.

i 16. An addressing machine having in com bination, a base, an endwise movable carriage mounted thereon, an address drum rotatably mounted on said carriage, a plunger mounted above said drum, means for im- I Witness my hand this 16th day of Novempixrtinga reciprocating movement to said ber, 1911.

v p Linger, means connected with said plunger 7 '7 for rotating the drum step bystep, and NICHOLAS 3 means for endwise advancing the carriage VVitnesse one step at the end of each rotation of the Y E. M; GRAHAM, I

drum. AN A HEIGIS,

copieswot this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the, (lom mis sioner of Patents,

- Washington, I). G." 

